NFL Big Games For Week 11

Last week, PossessionPoints.com highlighted NFC games that were not only of importance to those teams playing but to other teams waiting in the wings. One of the games, the Cowboys vs. Giants, solidified the Cowboys top spot in the NFC East after their defeat over the Giants. Another contest that we highlighted was the game between the Vikings and Packers, and we emphasized how this outcome would affect the fate of the Lions as well. With the Packers’ victory and the Lions’ loss in their own game against the Cardinals, Detroit finds itself in a precarious situation when it comes to winning their division. That said, let’s look ahead to this week’s big games and what teams may find themselves on the hot seat.

We start with a game between two teams whose losses last week in big games has put them in a situation where a wild card playoff berth may be their only hope for postseason play. The game between the Giants and Lions this week could seriously hurt if not end one of these team’s playoff chances. The Giants must rebound from their physical and emotional loss to the Cowboys on their own home turf while the Lions have to overcome their crushing defeat at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals. Both of these teams have 6-3 records and should have been able to take the “W” last week. Alas, neither team was up to the task. A Giants’ win would give NY a 7-3 record and keep them on track for a projected 12-4 finish by the PossessionPoints stat. A Lions’ victory would obviously harm the Giants’ chances of being in the playoffs and would also improve Detroit’s projected PossessionPoints record to at least 10-6 which would put them squarely in the playoff hunt. In fact, the most likely scenario that would result in both of these teams getting a wild card spot would be a Lions’ victory. A Lions’ win would boost their projected record to at least 10-6 and lower the Giants’ projected record to 11-5. Given the Giants’ remaining schedule, they would still be in a good position to earn a wild card spot despite this loss to the Lions. Now, we are not advocating a loss for the Giants; we are just saying for both teams to have their best playoff hopes, the Lions need to win especially since Detroit has a tougher remaining schedule based upon PossessionPoints Relative Performance Measure.

Another worthy of a mention is the AFC matchup between the Jaguars and the Chargers. Coming off of an impressive win over the Colts, the Chargers have a one-game lead in the AFC west and a 5-4 record. The Jaguars are primed and ready to pounce on the Colts who have only a one-game lead over the 6-3 Jacksonville team. A win by the Jaguars would keep them in the AFC South race and position them relatively well for a wild card at least. A win for the Chargers would keep them in the lead in their division and allow them to have high hopes for the playoffs.

We also have to make sure that we mention the heavy weight battle between the Rams and the 49ers. (Yes, we are being facetious). On the bright side, the loser of this contest enters another race: the race with the Dolphins and Jets on who gets the top draft pick! There is a lesson in this game and that is every cloud and losing season has its silver lining. If anyone cares, PossessionPoints matchups have us picking the Rams.